"have wandered about in sheep skins and goat skins, of whom the world was not worthy," Heb. xi. 37.
Of such violence, providence has now removed us from the danger; but it is still possible, that integrity may raise enemies, and that a resolute adherence to the right may not always be without danger. But evils of this kind bring their consolation with them; and their natural effect is to raise the eye and thoughts to Him who certainly judges right; and to excite ardent desires of that state, where innocence and happiness shall always be united.
When we have leisure from our own cares to cast our eyes about us, and behold the whole creation groaning in misery, we must be careful that our judgment is not presumptuous, and that our charity is not regulated by external appearances. We are not to consider those on whom evil falls, as the outcasts of providence; for though temporal prosperity was promised to the Jews, as a reward of faithful adherence to the worship of God, yet, under the dispensation of the gospel we are no where taught, that the good shall have any exemption from the common accidents of life, or that natural and civil evil shall not be equally shared by the righteous and the wicked.
The frequency of misfortunes, and universality of misery, may properly repress any tendency to discontent or murmur. We suffer only what is suffered by others, and often by those who are better than ourselves.
But the chief reason why we should send out our inquiries, to collect intelligence of misery, is, that we may find opportunities of doing good. Many human troubles are such as God has given man the power of alleviating. The wants of poverty may evidently be removed by the kindness of those who have more than their own use requires. Of such beneficence the time in which we live does not want examples; and surely that duty can never be neglected, to which so great rewards are so explicitly promised.
But the power of doing good is not confined to the wealthy. He that has nothing else to give, may often give
